トヨタの災難はGMをより多く売るが１因となっているのかもしれない。なんとも都合の良い。
Why do I smell an "American auto industry" generated conspiracy in the Toyota recall scandal?? Looks like the malicious American press in cahoots with the salivating local auto predators, unleashed a media blitz to destroy the sterling reputation of this Japanese auto icon. The fact that Toyota continued to soar in sales while the Big Three were grovelling at Death's Row, after thr 2008 meltdown, grated their smarting egoes excrutiatingly enough to orchestrate this monumental reputation breaker ploy. I guess in their cold, scheming greed-filled eyes, Toyota's cumuppance would give them some form of (evil) solace & comfort.
How low can one go??
This is being blown out of proportion by the US government, and it is obvious why for everyone who is following US-Japan relations. The US is trying to pressure the new Japanese government into becoming the old Japanese government.
The election victory of the DPJ on a platform, which included a promise for re-evaluation of the US-Japan military "cooperation" (including removing some bases in Okinawa) has resulted in a ton of warnings from the US in the past months; and to Hatoyama's cabinet bowing somewhat to US pressure and adopting a "zero-based" search for a way to weasel out of those promises and appease the Americans.
Pressure at home is mounting on Hatoyama's cabinet since they announced the "zero based" approach to the base locations, so no wonder the Americans are also stepping up theirs. US is also waving some carrots - inviting key DPJ leaders to visit Washington in the coming months.
The benefits of a negative PR to the failed US car industry are just an added bonus.
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LaHood cries out: Don't drive your Toyota! LaHood is employed by the Federal Government. The Feds own a majority stake in GM and Chrysler. The Feds gave the UAW a larger minority stake in GM than the senior bondholders. Toyota's "woes" may contribute higher sales of GM products. How convenient.